FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing is based on location. In the Astoria location, $100 hourly, in Manhattan midtown $125. Prepaid packages of 4 lessons are discounted 10%. All package lessons must be completed within 5 weeks of the package start date.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Lesson one is an assessment. Generally I want to hear the student sing something they believe they do well. I then offer suggestions for improvement and generally hear "Wow--- that is SOOOOO much easier" right away. Be realistic--- building a reliable technique is a process. Any new habit generally takes 30 days for your ownership of it in performance.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a member of the New York Singing Teachers' Association, and was in the pilot group for the creation of its professional development program, which began 10 years ago.As one of my colleagues remarked, "Maria will put your voice up on the rack to see what's underneath the problem, and tune it up for peak performance." I am constantly reading articles pertaining to developments in the vocal pedagogy field, in order to stay current. Dr. Peak Woo, a respected otolaryngologist in New York City, often says he is astounded that despite all the technology of science, most problems are heard by the voice teacher before they are easily seen using technology. In my practice, I work with many performers who are repairing vocal damage because of prior poor vocal techniques. in these cases, I give my client specific exercises to produce healthy sounds for the music they are preforming. I also insist they have a relationship with a reputable otolaryngologist who has a practice geared toward the professional performer.